Coming Home After CMI West 2016

I was so overjoyed with the success of our first CMI Western Conference.  It was great to see old friends, make new friends and especially, to finally, meet forever old online friends! The speakers were wonderful!  I have to admit there is always much to ponder and process after this event.

American Jewish Universtiy, CA

I got home Saturday afternoon and after some unwinding I made my way to the kitchen to find a book on the island counter.  It surprised me to see it there and eventually learned that my 12 yr old daughter  had been reading it earlier in the day.  "That's nice, " I thought and continued with the afternoon. 

Sunday we got up early for mass, and when we got home, we needed to make "something" to bring over to friends that had invited us to their pool.  My 12 yr old immediately insisted that she wanted to bake some cookies using "candy covered chocolate drops in an array of beautiful rainbow colors!"  Her wanting to bake did not  surprise me as she is the official family baker around here.  What did delight me tons was when she started baking and asked if she could tell me about the book...and how wonderful it was...and how she "now knows" about Theodoric, a friar, and his work with rainbows.  Her excitement and precise telling of rainbows; her newly developed relationship with a humble monk in the middle ages was very refreshing.  It wasn't an assignment given to her; it was just a book with a story she chose to read the day before.  Now, that knowledge of rainbows and Theodoric Dietrich has become hers.

Theodoric's Rainbow by Stephen Kramer

This small encounter lead me back to our last session at CMI, given by Dr. Carroll Smith, precisely on the "Story as Narrative".  A discussion on the use of story and living books.  The ability of a story to transport you to other places.  In our children, good literary stories allow them to use their imagination. Mere facts won't give them a visual or a relationship with the idea.  Ultimately, how the power of telling leads to knowing.  I couldn't have been more delighted to come home to my family, of course, but after the conference (specifically Dr. Smith's talk) I admit there was an added sweetness to seeing Charlotte Mason's methods working in my children.

*The book by the way is Theodoric's Rainbow by Stephen Kramer

March Hike: Oh, So Green

We went on two wonderful hikes this week.  One was new to me, but the other we hiked about two years ago.  I couldn't help but notice how much greener our trek was this time.  Perhaps hiking in March rather than very hot summer months or the nice few days of rain we had a few weeks ago.  Hmm... Either one: it was oh, so green! Just getting ready for St. Patrick's day around here ; )

 

Lent 2014: Reconcile and Share

We're not doing much that is different from our past Lenten seasons around here.  I have transformed our nature study area into our Lenten season table.

Our wonderful Lent/Easter book basket is out.  What a treat to enjoy these books once a year.  As a family, I chose to read out loud the Michael Hague Easter Treasury.

Our Lent Box with the Stations of the cross is out.  This is such a wonderful activity that my kids enjoy every year.  We have our Stations of the Cross Fridays.

Every year I also hope to inspire the kids with our Lenten countdown calendar.  Every day we nail a cross to the board.  This year I chose to decorate the board with a path made of 40 stones.  Every time we nail a cross, I try to talk about our focus for the season: Reconciling and Sharing is our theme this year.  I do this by choosing a prayer or a poem or simply reminding them about specific situations/times we need to remember these values in our lives.

Here are my past Lent and Easter posts:
Lent 2012
Easter 2012
Lent 2013

Winter Tea and Poetry Recitation

A group of seven families (including ourselves) decided that we truly enjoyed our monthly California history group a la CM last year, that we formed a weekly CM co-op this year: The Large Room.  One of the things we planned for the year were three seasonal teas' with an opportunity for the kids to recite a memorized poem.  Our Fall tea was wonderful and our second tea, Winter, was hosted at our house this past week.  My children had a wonderful time planning and hosting.  My oldest and youngest students picked their poems a few weeks ago and had been memorizing/practicing for the big day.

We had nine kids recite this season! They did wonderfully...my daughter chose a Christina Rosetti poem and my son's selection:

January is Here

 

by Edward Fawcett

 

January is here,

with eyes that keenly glow,

A frost-mailed warrior

 striding a shadowy steed of snow.

 

Certainly not what our January was like, but, definitely his vision of what "Winter" must be...somewhere ; )



An Anniversary Post

Last week my husband and I had a very rare opportunity.  We were able to take a two day, one night get away...without the kids!  The occasion; celebrating our 15th anniversary.  In just that small amount of time we were able to fit in some of our favorite activities: hiking, beach time, exploring, dining, and wine tasting.

MISSION FALLS TRAIL in SANTA BARBARA



This was us relaxing on a big boulder under a large canopy oak tree at the end of our hike.  It was amazing!

ARROYO BURRO BEACH in SANTA BARBARA

LOS OLIVOS and SANTA YNEZ VALLEY (Zaca Station Rd.)

While in Solvang, we toured the Santa Ynez Mission and were very lucky to have the priest give us an anniversary blessing.  It meant so much to both of us.  I hope you don't mind but I just wanted to post a picture of us 15 years ago a few months after our wedding on our first trip to Sequoia National Park (for prosperity's sake):

 

We discovered that even after 15 years we still enjoy the exact same outdoor things to do together...we also found ourselves scouting for possible day trips with the kids and planning a few family camping/road trips for the rest of the year.  They would certainly enjoy the nature trails and oh, the things we could talk about.  The books we could read.  Funny how my mind works 15 yrs later;  CM, nature study, books, living education...love it!

Early Saturday Morn...

we set off for a stroll at our nearby Botanical Gardens.  They open at 7:00 am.  The kids dragged a bit at first but once we were there they had so much to find and be amazed.  By the time we were ready to leave, some had already scouted a small trail to hike...

 

maybe next time.  The rest of us really wanted some breakfast ; )  Never to early for some nature loving though!

Dia De Los Reyes

Celebrating Epiphany Sunday yesterday was such a blessing.  The focus was on the word "EPIPHANY"; the biblical meaning, the celebration, the manifestation of the divine and the moment of sudden insight in our lives!  Just such an appropriate way to end the Christmas season. 

As we've done for years now the kids look forward to the Feast Day of the Epiphany (January 6th): the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus.  In Latin cultures this is known as Dia De Los Reyes and usually celebrated with a Rosca de Reyes (special bread in the shape of a crown with fruit candy on top) and hot chocolate. This year we decided we would commute to celebrate with the rest of the family.  They did school as usual this morning, but then we began a frenzy of clean up to go to my parent's 50 miles away. In the midst of the rush I went into the kitchen to find our nativity blocks set up.  This made me stop and realize that living the liturgical year and sharing with family are truly gifts to be cherished.  Memories my children continue to tuck in their hearts and souls.

My sister read to the kids the story of the Magi and about the celebration. My oldest then narrated very nicely about one of the books she read during our Advent/Winter unit this season: The Story of The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke.  We really recommend it!  The kids and family listened and enjoyed the retelling by her.  Then they dove into some very tasty bread with Abui's hot chocolate.  Oh, and we got two of the five hidden babies :D